Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

News Magazine January 2022

FEATURE STORY

tah, West Virginia, and Wyoming will prevent local decision-making over the fuels used to power homes and other buildings. 4 As you can see from the way they phrased the information, they are supporters of restricting and eliminating the use of natural gas in favor of all electric buildings. By the way, their information provides links to legislation in the listed states if you are interested in following them. According to the Washington Post, “ Even in the states where the anti- natural gas movement is strongest, municipal efforts have run into obstacles. ” “ In November 2019, the California Restaurant Association sued the town of Berkeley to strike down the change in building code. The association in its lawsuit said that “many of these restaurants rely on g as for cooking particular types of food, whether it be flame-seared meats, charred vegetables, or the use of intense heat from a flame under a wok.” 5 While clear in their reporting as to their preference for electricity, the Washington Post went on to say, “… natural gas is cheaper than electricity in most parts of the United States, at least for now. ” “ Forty-seven percent of U.S. homes rely on natural gas for heat while 36 percent rely on electricity, according to the EIA. ” 5 Another perspective is presented by The Hill dated February 2021. “ While proposing the elimination of natural gas may seem environmentally sound, it will likely lead to an increase in carbon emissions in most jurisdictions

Anti gas gone crazy Fifty four California cities/counties have adopted building codes to reduce their reliance on natural gas, according to a July 22, 2021 Sierra Club article by Mat Gough. 1 Most of the ordinances apply to new construction / commercial but many include or are moving toward residential. While some allow gas for cooking, others phase out all gas appliances in new construction. In Washington state, “ Governor Inslee and Democratic allies in the Legislature laid out a package of measures whose end goal is to require all-electric appliances for space and water heating. The statewide phase out of natural gas energy would apply to all new construction beginning in 2034. ” 2 December 16 th , the New York Times reported, “ New York City moved to ban gas hookups in new buildings, joining cities in blue states like California, Massachusetts and Washington that want to shift homes away from burning natural gas because it releases carbon dioxide, which causes global warming. ” 3 There is resistance in many primarily “ red ” states. NRDC reported, “ The fossil fuel industry backed bills proposed thus far in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Flori da, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Ke ntucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missou ri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, U